Gas replenishment component for an enclosure

Abstract

A gas replenishment component for an electronic enclosure is described. A main body defines a containment volume. The main body is sealed about the containment volume. A charging gas is contained in the containment volume. The containment volume has less than 5% N 2 . The main body defines a diffusive area that is permeable to the gas. A reversible seal obstructs the diffusive area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gas replenishment component for an electronic enclosure, comprising:
 a main body defining a containment volume, wherein the main body is sealed about the containment volume; 
 a charging gas contained in the containment volume, wherein the containment volume has less than 5% N 2 , wherein the main body defines a diffusive area that is permeable to the gas; 
 an adsorbent disposed in the containment volume, wherein the charging gas is at least partially stored by the adsorbent; and 
 a reversible seal obstructing the diffusive area. 
 
     
     
       2. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the charging gas comprises O 2 . 
     
     
       3. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the charging gas comprises He. 
     
     
       4. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the containment volume has a pressure ranging from 85 kPa to 1000 kPa. 
     
     
       5. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the main body does not define an opening and is constructed of a material that is configured to diffuse the charging gas therethrough. 
     
     
       6. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is constructed of polycarbonate. 
     
     
       7. The gas replenishment component of  claim 1 , wherein the reversible seal is a removable seal, the diffusive area comprises a diffusion channel extending from outside the main body to the containment volume, and the removable seal is disposed across the diffusion channel. 
     
     
       8. A method of constructing a gas replenishment component comprising:
 drying an adsorbent by heating the adsorbent under a partial vacuum; 
 charging the dried adsorbent with a charging gas, wherein the charging gas is at least partially stored by the adsorbent; 
 inserting the adsorbent in a containment volume of a main body, wherein the containment volume has less than 5% N 2  and the main body defines a diffusive area that is permeable to the gas; and 
 sealing the adsorbent in the main body by a reversible seal obstructing the diffusive area, wherein the main body is sealed about the containment volume and the charging gas is contained in the containment volume. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein charging the dried adsorbent with gas comprises injecting the gas through a self-sealing septum of the main body. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein charging the adsorbent with gas comprises lowering the temperature of the adsorbent. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein charging the adsorbent with gas comprises increasing the pressure on the adsorbent. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising filling the containment volume with He to pressurize the containment volume. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gas comprises O 2 . 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gas contained in the main body is at a partial pressure that exceeds the partial pressure of the gas at atmospheric conditions at sea level. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the main body does not define an opening and is constructed of a material that is configured to diffuse the gas therethrough. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the main body is constructed of polycarbonate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing a seal across a diffusion channel, wherein the main body defines the diffusion channel that extends from outside the main body to the containment volume. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising removing the reversible seal from the main body to expose the diffusive area of the main body. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reversible seal is punctured. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reversible seal is detached from the main body.